Table 3 Steps in IASTM treatment

Type C - Sweeping Knife

With the subject lying prone, a fascial lubricant was evenly applied to the posterior/anterior side of the calf, and the C-probe was used to apply pressure to the target muscle group at a 45° tangential angle in both directions, bottom to top or top to bottom, following the course of the calf muscle fibers.

Low

1 min

Subjects were gradually acclimatized to the rhythm of the instrumental treatment while areas of calf fascia densification or granulation were identified [39,40,41].

Type A-Shark knife

Slow, repetitive pressure sliding for areas of high resistance in areas of posterior/anterior calf fascial densification or excitatory pain points [42]

Low-Medium

2 min

Soft tissues are loosened in both resting and maximal extension of the calf to restore soft tissue elasticity in areas of stiffness and to reduce or eliminate painful spots.

Type B - Bat Knife

Sliding compressions were performed by applying pressure to the posterior/anterior calf treatment area at an angle of about 45°, in both top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top directions, and small, repeated pressure slides were applied to areas of fascial densification or points of excitation.

Medium-High

3–5 min

Deeper myofascial release of the posterior/anterior calf using highly focused and greater pressure.

M type - Big M knife

Subjects were asked to complete dorsiflexion and toe-flexion movements separately and without interruption, reaching the limit of each movement and holding it for 3–5 s at the maximum angle. Passive fascial knife pressure sliding was performed with breathing during the exercise.

Medium-high

5–10 min

Dynamically loosens deep calf muscle groups, increases intermuscular gliding and restores ankle range of motion

Type S - Hook Knife

Apply pressure sliding perpendicular to the muscle fibers over localized areas of stiffness and pain points in the calf.

low-middle

1 min

Deep and targeted relaxation of calf pain points.